The Dutch government officially presented its new national online gambling policy on June 12, 2026, and by June 16 the proposal had become one of the most debated regulatory developments in the European gaming industry as the full scope of the measures emerged. The package represents the most significant tightening of gambling regulation since the launch of the regulated online market under the Remote Gambling Act (KOA) in October 2021 and seeks to strengthen player protection through restrictions that directly affect licensed operators’ commercial activities.
The reform is being led by Claudia van Bruggen, State Secretary for Legal Protection at the Ministry of Justice and Security, who argues that the current framework has failed to adequately protect vulnerable players and now requires a more interventionist approach from the state.
The first major measure is a ban on promotional bonuses, including free bets, welcome offers and customer acquisition incentives. The second introduces a centralized deposit limit that will apply across all licensed operators. Players wishing to exceed that threshold will be required to undergo an affordability assessment reviewing income, debts, payment arrears and overall financial circumstances.
The third measure is a near-total ban on online gambling advertising. Although limited exceptions may remain for operators’ own channels and search engine results, the government's objective is to significantly reduce the exposure of minors and young adults to gambling-related marketing.
The fourth reform strengthens Cruks, the Netherlands’ national self-exclusion register. The government intends to allow indefinite self-exclusions, make it easier for family members or financial administrators to request the registration of at-risk individuals, and connect the system more closely with social, financial and healthcare support services.
Michel Groothuizen
The fifth measure targets the illegal market. The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), chaired by Michel Groothuizen, will receive expanded powers to act against unlicensed operators and against intermediaries that facilitate illegal gambling activity, including payment providers, technology companies, hosting services and digital platforms.
The sixth proposal opens the door to a potential reduction in the number of online gambling licences available in the country. The seventh introduces additional restrictions on products classified as high-risk and increases scrutiny of artificial intelligence applications within gambling environments. Finally, the eighth measure establishes a multi-year gambling harm prevention strategy running through 2030, focused on mental health, debt prevention, research, education and player support.
The statistics help explain the political pressure behind the reforms. Registrations in Cruks have now surpassed 111,000 users, compared with approximately 61,000 two years ago. Meanwhile, adults aged 18 to 23 account for only 9.3% of the adult population but represent roughly 22% of active online gambling accounts. At the same time, deposit restrictions introduced in 2024 reduced average monthly player losses by approximately 31%, falling from €116 to €81 per account.
The Dutch Parliament is expected to debate the package on June 24, 2026. However, the proposals have already divided the market. While the government argues that stricter safeguards are necessary, licensed operators and the KSA have warned that excessive restrictions could strengthen the illegal market and undermine channelization toward regulated platforms.
